Amidst an ongoing water crisis in the capital city of Karnataka, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), a governmental agency, has intensified its crackdown on violators found wasting water, resulting in fines for as many as 407 individuals and the collection of over ₹20 lakh in penalties.
According to The Times of India, BWSSB officials have been actively identifying and penalizing residents utilizing potable water for non-essential purposes such as vehicle washing and gardening. A BWSSB officer informed the publication, “We have fined 407 persons till April 9 and collected ₹20.3 lakh from the violators so far.”
Residents’ reports of water misuse have played a crucial role in identifying violators, enabling officials to take swift action against offenders. A senior BWSSB official clarified their approach, stating, “The BWSSB doesn’t collect fines just because it sees someone cleaning vehicles. We cross-check with them by asking about the source of the water. If they fail to prove it is treated water, we collect a fine from them.”
Of the 407 instances recorded, a staggering 90 percent were violations related to using potable water for vehicle cleaning, while the remaining 10 percent were associated with gardening activities. The agency has issued a stern warning to violators, indicating that repeated offenses would result in an additional ₹500 fine on top of the initial ₹5,000 penalty.
Furthermore, the BWSSB has imposed a ban on the use of drinking water for various purposes, including filling swimming pools, car washing, gardening, as well as construction and maintenance activities. These stringent measures underscore the urgency of conserving water resources amidst the prevailing crisis in Bangalore.
